【Program】
Moderator: Prof. Haruhiko Tanaka, Rikkyo University
1. Opening Session
Welcome Speech: Prof. Yasuyuki Hikita, Vice President of Rikkyo University
Opening Remarks: Prof. Osamu Abe, Rikkyo University
2. Keynote Lecture
Prof. Daniella Tilbury , University of Gloucestershire
3. Session 1: Experiences in the Asia-Pacific
China: Dr. Dongjie NIU, Tongji University
South Korea: Prof. Tae Yoon Park, Yonsei University
Taiwan: Prof. Jenny Su., National Cheng Kung University
Japan: Prof. Osamu Abe, Rikkyo University
Pacific Island Nations: Prof. Peter Blaze Corcoran, Florida Gulf Coast University
4. Session 2: Experiences in Europe/International Initiatives
Germany: Dr. Harald Heinrichs, University of Luneburg
International: Mr. Yoshihiro Natori, UNU-IAS
5. Panel Discussion:
Chair: Prof. Osamu Abe
Panelists: Guest Speakers
【Report】
1. Opening Session
The purpose of the HESD International Symposium is to exchange the experiences on HESD in the Asia-Pacific and Western countries to stimulate research and practice in this field in Japan. The presentations and discussion were made by the distinguished researchers invited from Asia and the world.
2. Keynote Lecture
Prof. Daniella Tilbury (University of Gloucestershire)
“A Global Portrait”
In this keynote lecture, Prof. Tilbury reported the trend and current status of HESD in the world based on the survey and analysis made by IRIS (International Research Institute in Sustainability). She emphasized the significance of having a global portrait with a concrete vision of future sustainability as well as of paying an attention to specific activities.
3. Session 1: Experiences in the Asia-Pacific
Dr. Dongjie Niu (Tongji University, China)
“Exploration and Practice: Higher Education for Sustainable Development in China and IESD”
Dr. Niu introduced the 40-year history of environmental science at higher education institutes in China. The environmental studies and conservation programmes started in the early 1970’s. She also introduced the curriculum reform focusing environmental studies at Tongji University and pointed out the importance of changes in the consciousness of staff members.
Prof. Tae Yoon Park (Yonsei University, South Korea)
“ESD of Korean Universities”
Prof. Park pointed out the importance of “eco-campus” activities (which aim at making the campus environment-friendly) in South Korea. He also introduced the “Green Campus Initiative” implemented by 10 universities including Yonsei University. He also presented an example of curriculum course, “Living in Harmony with Environment”, as an interdisciplinary approach to ESD.
Prof. Jenny Su (National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan)
“Sustainable Campus in Taiwan”
Prof. Su mentioned that the 1999 Jiji earthquake in Taiwan raised the awareness of crisis management for the university campuses and triggered the re-examination of the role of campus and its function, which marked the beginning of ‘eco-campus’ activities. Eco-campus activities have been strategically practiced nationwide in Taiwan, which conceptualise campuses as a place to enhance communication, information exchange, and lifelong learning.
Prof Osamu Abe (ESD Research Centre, Rikkyo University, Japan)
“HESD in Asia: the Japanese Case”
Prof Abe mentioned that HESD in Japan has been promoted by policies of the Ministries of the Environment and of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and those of the Ministry of the Environment (MoE). Among others, ELIAS (MoE), GP(MEXT), IR3S (MEXT), and ProSPER.Net.(UNU-IAS/MoE) are introduced. He also emphasised the significance of networking and collaboration to develop ESD curriculum for fostering the “21st century citizens”.
Prof. Peter Blaze Corcoran (Florida Gulf Coast University)
“South Pacific Island Sustainability in Higher Education: Context, Constraints, and Content”
Prof. Corcoran introduced the network of higher education institutions in the Pacific, with USP (the University of the South Pacific) as its focal point, to tackle environmental issues such as vulnerability in regard to the impact of climate change and economic globalisation. He also mentioned that the idea of sustainability can be a moral guideline of higher education.
4. Session 2 Experiences in Europe/International Initiatives
Dr. Harald Heinrichs (University of Luneburg, Germany)
“Sustainability in Higher Education: Developments in Germany”
After mentioning difficulties in understanding the concept of sustainability, Dr. Hienrichs discussed the current status of HESD in Germany with reference to the case study of the University of Luneburg. He put emphasis on the importance of the universities’ initiative and flexibility in terms of organizational change with a variety of approaches, and a nationwide network to cope with various circumstances.
Mr. Yoshihiro Natori (UNU-IAS)
“UNU Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) and ProSPER.Net”
Mr. Natori discussed the importance of the role of UNU in the international networks, introducing RCE (regional centres of ESD) and ProSPER.Net (Promotion of Sustainability in Postgraduate Education and Research Network). He also pointed out the need of strengthening the linkage among higher education institutions towards the 2009 World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development – Moving into the Second Half of the UN Decade.
5. Panel Discussion:
Chair: Prof. Osamu Abe
Panellists: Guest Speakers
 In the panel discussion, the following three points were discussed: 1) the value of ESD and its universality as an ethics, 2) sustainability study as compulsory curriculum course, and 3) the significance of international HESD coalition. A common perception was shared on the importance of both global ethic and regional viewpoints. It is important to accept the diversity of values and cultures, and we have to seek the common elements among them. As for the ESD curriculum, the importance of having interdisciplinary curriculum is emphasised, and it was suggested that we could learn from the good examples in the USA and Germany.
The director of ESDRC, Osamu Abe, made closing remarks to situate the symposium as a vantage point for further enhancement in the international network of HESD. |
